Level control valve



Feb. 8, 1966 R. L. ('JlfiCO mm.

LEVEL CONTROL VALVE Filed Sept. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 GMAW 9mm ATTORNEYS Feb. 8, 1966 R, 1.. CISCO ETAL 3,233,624

LEVEL CONTROL VALVE Filed Sept. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RICHARD L. CISCO 8 BY ROGER H. BLANCHARD WCWWDWM ATTORNEYS, V

United States Patent 3,233,624 LEVEL (IUNTRQL VALVE Richard L. Cisco, Torrance, and Roger H. Blanchard,

Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Parlrer-Hannitin Corporation, a corporation of @hio Filed Sept. 28, 1962, ar. No. 226,929 13 Ciaims. (Cl. 137-403) The present invention relates generally as indicated to a level control valve and more particularly to a valve for bag-like collapsible fuel tanks which, when empty, lie substantially flat on the ground and which, when being filled, are uncollapsed with the top Wall progressively rising.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve which automatically closes to discontinue the tank-filling operation when the tank has been filled to desired extent.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve of the character indicated in which the main inlet valve member thereof is automatically closed in response to buildup of predetermined fluid pressure in the tank.

It is another object of this invention to provide a valve of the character indicated having a passage which constitutes an inlet when filling the tank and an outlet when Withdrawing fluid from the tank.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of a few of the various Ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a central vertical cross-section view through one form of valve constituting the present invention, the valve being shown installed in the top wall of a flexible tank which progressively collapses as the fluid is removed therefrom and which uncollapses as fluid is introduced thereinto through the valve;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view partly in cross-section, showing another embodiment of the valve herein; and

FIG. 3 is a central vertical cross-section View of yet another embodiment of the valve herein.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, the fuel tank T with which the valve 1 is used is a flexible bag-like structure of rubber-like material having a bottom wall which is adaped to be supported on the ground, a side wall and a top wall. The tank T may cover a rather extended area and when empty, the side wall will be collapsed so that the top wall is substantially resting on the bottom wall.

The valve 1 comprises a housing part 2 which, as shown, is secured to the top wall of the tank T through a ring 3. Also secured to the ring 3 is the fitting 4 which has connected thereto a fueling nozzle 5 and check valve 6 as shown schematically.

The valve mechanism herein is of the pilot-operated type wherein the main valve member 7 is urged into engagement with the seat 8 by the spring 9 and by fluid pressure in chamber ltl acting on the effective area of the diaphragm 11 of valve member 7 and balancing or overcoming the fluid pressure in the inlet port 12 acting on the area of the seat 8. When the pilot valve member 14- is disengaged from its seat 15 as shown, fluid in chamber escapes therefrom through check valve 16 and pilot valve member 14 into the tank T faster than it can be replenished through the annular variable orifice 17 defined by the tubular extension 18 of the main valve member 7 and the main valve guide post 19 whereby fluid pressure in the inlet port 12 acting on the area of seat 8 of the main valve member 7 is then able to overcome the bias of spring 9 and the opposing force of the thus lowered pressure in chamber Ill.

The pilot valve member 14 is opened by the force of the spring 2d of the double diaphragm actuator assembly 21 which overcomes the seating force of the spring 23 hearing on the plate 24. Plate 24 is guided on the seat retainer 25 and is radially slotted as shown to provide passages for pilot flow into the tank T from the chamber 19 when pilot valve member 14 is unseated. When plate 24- is urged downwardly by spring 23, it pulls the pilot valve member 14; down to engage seat 15 through engagement of plate 24 with the enlargement adjacent the lower end of the pilot valve member stem.

The chamber 30 between the diaphragms 31 and 32 is vented to the atmosphere via the passageway 33, the latter having a screen 34 therein.

Surrounding the housing assembly of the valve 1 is a cylindrical shield or shroud 35 having a perforate bottom wall 36 through which the fluid is introduced into or withdrawn from the tank T when main valve member 7 is open.

The pilot valve actuator 37 extends through the double diaphragm unit 21 and has secured thereto one end of a suitable cable or lanyard 38 which, at its other end, is secured to the bottom wall of tank T. As the tank is being filled, the top wall thereof together with the valve 1, moves upwardly until the cable 38 is taut, whereupon the top wall and valve 1 will continue to move upwardly with respect to the pilot valve actuator 37, and thus the pilot valve member 14 is permitted to close, whereupon the pressure in the chamber 10 builds up through the orifice 17 to a value substantially equal to the pressure in the inlet port 12 to force the valve member 7 to seated position.

In the event that the cable 38 breaks, or that its end connections come loose, the net fluid pressure in the tank T acting downwardly on the effective area of the large diaphragm 31 and upwardly on the effective diameter of the smaller diaphragm 32, will force the double acting diaphragm actuator unit 21 downwardly against the spring 20 to permit closing of the pilot valve member 14 and consequent movement of the main valve member 7 into engagement with seat 8.

It can thus be seen that with the FIG. 1 valve 1 fluid pressure applied at the inlet port 12 will cause opening movement of the main valve member 7 when the pilot valve member 14 is disengaged from seat 15 by the actuator spring 2 9 or" the actuator unit 21.

When it is desired to withdraw fluid from the tank T, a negative pressure in the inlet port 12 and in the chamber ltl (check valve 16 closed) will cause tank pressure acting downwardly on the portion of the diaphragm ll of diameter larger than seat 8 to urge the main valve member 7 away from seat 8 with consequent outflow of fluid through port 12.

The FIG. 2 valve assembly 1' is essentially the same as that of FIG. 1 except for omission of the actuator 37 and cable 38, and therefore the same reference numerals, with prime marks added, have been used to denote the same or similar parts. Accordingly, valve assembly 1 closes when the tank pressure reaches a desired value suflicient to move the diaphragm 31' of the actuator unit 21' to permit seating of the pilot valve member 14'. In this case, the pressure at which the diaphragm 31' thus is moved downwardly is adjusted by the screw 41 which moves the spring follower 42 up or down as desired through the reciprocable plug 43.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention which comprises a multi-part housing assembly 50 which provides an inlet port 51, and a seat 52 against which the main valve member 53 is urged by spring 54 and by fluid pressure in chamber 55. The housing assembly also has therein a check valve 56; a pilot valve member 57 and seat 58 a diaphragm type pilot valve actuating unit 5% which, through spring 60, unseats pilot valve member 57 against the seating force therein exerted through spring 61 and plate 62 and which has its chamber 63 vented to the atmosphere through passage 64; a diaphragm type poppet valve member 65 biased by spring 66 against seat 67 and having its chamber 68 in fluid communication with the inlet port 51 via the passage 6%; and a check valve 76. When the poppet valve member 65 is unseated fluid communication is established by passage 71 between chambers 55 and 6% for a purpose presently to be explained.

The main valve member 53 has a check valve 72 therein and a restricted orifice (variable) 73 is defined between main valve member 53 and the guide post 74 for a purpose comparable to orifice 17 in FIG. 1.

When filling a tank to which the FIG. 3 valve is connected as in PEG. 1, for example, fluid pressure in inlet port 51 will move the main valve member 53 away from seat 52 owing to drop in pressure in chamber 55 (through check valve 56 and open pilot valve member 57) as compared with the pressure in inlet port 51 upstream of check valve 72 and orifice 73. When the tank has been filled so that the fluid pressure therein is suflicient to compress the spring 6% of the pilot valve actuator 59, the pilot valve member 57 will be urged by spring 61 and plate 62 into engagement with seat 58 whereupon pressure builds up in chamber 55 to assist spring 54- in urging the main valve member 53 into engagement with seat 52 to discontinue the tank filling operation. During the filling operation and during closing of the main valve member 53, the poppet valve member 65 is held in engagement with seat 67 by spring 66 and by fluid pressure in chamber 68 via the passage 69 from the inlet port 51. During closing of the main valve member 53 line surge pressure is limited to a specified value above line deadhead pressure by the variable slot in the guide post 74-.

When the fluid supply line is disconnected from port 51 the pressure in chamber 63 decreases from deadhead to ambient but the poppet valve member 65 is yet held by spring 66 against seat 67. The chamber 55, however, senses tank pressure through check valve 7% and passage 71 whereby the main valve member 53 is held against seat 52. The check valve 72 prevents leakage of fluid after disconnection of the supply line.

Insofar as defueling of the tank is concerned when pressure less than ambient is applied at port 51 it is sensed in chamber 68 via passage 69 whereupon the poppet valve member 65 moves against spring 66 to engage seat 75 to close ofl" flow from the tank past check valve 7 t? to disengage from seat 67 to communicate chamber 55 with chamber 68 via passage 71. The check valve 56 prevents tank pressure from reaching chamber 55 even though the pilot valve member 57 may be unseated. In any event negative pressure in port 51 and in chambers 62% and 55 enables tank pressure to act downwardly on the main valve member 53 to move it out of engagement with seat 52 and thus permit flow of fluid from the tank.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be em ployed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. In combination, a collapsible tank, and a valve of the type having a housing with a tank-filling port that is opened and closed by a movable main valve member according to whether a movable pilot valve member opens or closes fluid communication between the interior of said tank and a chamber defined by said housing and main valve member, said chamber always being in restricted fluid communication with said port at least in a direction from said port to said chamber, said main valve member being disposed in said tank below the top thereof, said main valve member having one side thereof exposed to fluid pressure in said chamber and portions of the other side exposed respectively to fluid pressure in said port and in said tank when the fluid level in said tank is above said main valve member, means for automatically establishing a fluid pressure in said chamber less than that in said tank in response to tank-emptying pressure in said port, whereby fluid in said tank above the level of said main valve member will act thereon to cause said main valve member to open said port for flow of fluid out of said tank, said tank being collapsed when empty and progressively uncollapsed during filling, and a pilot valve actuator means for controlling opening and closing of said pilot valve member according to the pressure of fluid in said tank.

2. The combination of claim ll wherein a pilot valve actuator means controls opening and closing of said pilot valve member according to the pressure of fluid in said tank, said pilot valve actuator means including means for varying the pressure at which said pilot valve member is opened and closed by the tank fluid pressure as aforesaid.

3. in combination; a tank, and a valve of the type having a housing with a tank-filling port that is opened and closed by a movable main valve member according to whether a movable pilot valve member opens or closes fluid communication between a chamber defined by said housing and main valve member and the interior of said tank, said chamber having restricted fluid communication with said port, and said main Valve member having one side thereof exposed to fluid pressure in said chamber and portions of the other side exposed respectively to fluid pressure in said port and in said tank, and a pilot valve actuator of which at least portions of opposite sides thereof are respectively exposed to the atmosphere and to fluid pressure in the tank to control said pilot valve member to close fluid communication between said chamber and the interior of said tank upon predetermined rise in fluid pressure in said tank.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said tank is collapsed when empty and the top wall thereof progressively rises as said tank is uncollapsed during filling; wherein said valve is secured in said tank; and wherein said pilot valve actuator further includes a member secured to a wall of said tank and with respect to which said housing or vice-versa continues to rise after predetermined rise of said top wall, such continued rise of said top wall also effecting closing by said pilot valve member of such fluid communication between said chamber and the interior of said tank.

5. The combination of claim 3 further comprising means establishing a fluid pressure in said chamber less than that in said tank, whereby fluid in said tank above the level of said main valve member will act thereon to cause said main valve member to open said port for flow of fluid out of said tank, said last-mentioned means including a check valve in series with said pilot valve member to preclude flow of fluid from within said tank into said chamber.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said last-mentioned means further comprises another check valve to preclude flow of fluid from within said chamber into said port, and valve means respectively closing and opening fluid communication between said chamber and port in response to presence of tank-filling and tank-emptying pressures in said port.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said last-mentioned means further comprises yet another check valve which permits flow of fluid from within said tank into said chamber when valve means closes fluid communication between said port and chamber.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said valve means is operative, when opening fluid communication between said chamber and port, to close fluid communication between the interior of said tank and said chamber via said yet another check valve.

9. In combination; a tank, and a valve of the type having a housing with a tank-filling port that is opened and closed by a movable main valve member according to whether a movable pilot valve member opens or closes fluid communication between a chamber defined by said housing and main valve member and the interior of said tank, said chamber having restricted fluid communication with said port, and said main valve member having one side thereof exposed to fluid pressure in said chamber and portions of the other side exposed respectively to fluid pressure in said port and in said tank, said tank being collapsed when empty and having a top wall that progressively rises as said tank is filled; said housing being mounted in said top wall for rising movement therewith; and a pilot valve actuator including a member with respect to which said housing continues to rise after predetermined rise of said top wall, such continued rise of said housing eitecting closing by said pilot valve member of such fluid communication between said chamber and the interior of said tank.

10. A valve for use in filling a tank with fluid comprising a housing adapted to be secured to a tank and having a passage for flow of fluid into the tank; a main valve member movable in said housing between positions opening and closing said passage; said main valve member and housing defining a chamber having an orifice for maintaining said chamber in restricted fluid communication with said passage; said main valve member constituting a movable wall of said chamber of which portions of one side are exposed respectively to fluid pressure in said passage and in the tank and of which the other side is exposed to fluid pressure in said chamber on an area larger than that portion of said one side which 40 is exposed to fluid pressure in said passage; a pilot valve member movable in said housing to open and close fluid communication between said chamber and the interior of the tank for respectively decreasing and increasing the fluid pressure in said chamber acting on such other side of said main valve member whereby the latter is moved to passage-opening and passage-closing positions; and valve means in said housing effective, upon application of negative pressure in said passage and chamber, to allow fluid pressure in the tank acting on the aforesaid portion of such one side of said main valve member, to move said main valve member to passage-opening position for flow of fluid out of the tank through said passage.

11. The valve of claim it wherein said valve means comprises a first check valve in series with said pilot valve member to prevent flow of fluid from Within the tank into said chamber.

12. The valve of claim 10 wherein said valve means comprises a first check valve in series with said pilot valve member to prevent flow of fluid from within the tank into said chamber, a second check valve closing restricted fluid communication from said chamber into said passage, and valved passage means effective respectively to close and open fluid communication between said passage and chamber when the tank is being filled by fluid pressure in said passage and when the tank is being emptied by negative pressure in said passage.

13. The combination of claim 19 wherein a pilot valve actuator means controls opening and closing of said pilot valve member according to the pressure of fluid in said tank.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 8/1953 Australia. 7/1923 Sweden.

ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examiner.

L. D. GEIGER, WILLIAM F. ODEA, Examiner. 

3. IN COMBINATION; A TANK, AND A VALVE OF THE TYPE HAVING A HOUSING WITH A TANK-FILLING PORT THAT IS OPENED AND CLOSED BY A MOVABLE MAIN VALVE MEMBER OCCORDING TO WHETHER A MOVABLE PILOT VALVE MEMBER OPENS OR CLOSES FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A CHAMBER DEFINED BY SAID HOUSING AND MAIN VALVE MEMBER AND THE INTERIOR OF SAID TANK, SAID CHAMBER HAVING RESTRICTED FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PORT, AND SAID MAIN VALVE MEMBER HAVING ONE SIDE THEREOF EXPOSED TO FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID CHAMBER AND PORTIONS OF THE OTHER SIDE EXPOSED RESPECTIVELY TO FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID PORT IN SAID TANK, AND A PILOT VALVE ACTUATOR OF WHICH AT LEAST PORTIONS OF OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF ARE RESPECTIVELY EXPOSED TO THE ATMOSPHERE AND TO FLUID PRESSURE IN THE TANK TO CONTROL SAID PILOT VALVE MEMBER TO CLOSE FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID CHAMBER AND THE INTERIOR OF SAID TANK UPON PREDETERMINED RISE IN FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID TANK. 